Nunalleq: The Old Village 

On the Bering Sea coast, near the village of Quinhagak, lies Nunalleq ("Old Village"), the remains of a 16th-century Yup'ik settlement that long predates the first European contact in Alaska. Today, thawing permafrost and increasingly severe coastal storms are eroding the fragile shoreline, threatening to carry Nunalleq's history into the sea.

In 2009, the community of Quinhagak took action to preserve its cultural heritage. Rather than watch their ancestors' belongings wash away, community members partnered with archaeologists to establish the Nunalleq Archaeology Project. Since then, more than 150,000 artifacts have been carefully excavated and conserved, including tools, dolls, masks, clothing, hunting gear, and other everyday objects that offer remarkable insight into Yup'ik life centuries ago.

Nunalleq: The Old Village is an installation that introduces the story of this community-led effort. Elders, youth, and researchers work side by side, sharing knowledge, language, stories, and scientific methods. Archaeology at Nunalleq is not only about understanding the past—it is also about strengthening Yup'ik culture and identity, reconnecting younger generations with ancestral knowledge, and ensuring that these stories endure for the future.